Tillage implement with intra-wing gang offset

ABSTRACT

A tillage implement has a main frame, a hinged wing and a plurality of gangs each having tools along its length. The plurality of gangs includes a main frame gang mounted to the main frame and inner and outer wing gangs mounted to the wing. The inner and outer wing gangs have inner ends that are forward or rearward with respect to the direction of travel of outer ends, and the lengths of the inner and outer wing gangs are offset from each other in the direction of travel.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S)

This application claims priority to provisional application Ser. No.62/222,564, filed Sep. 23, 2015.

STATEMENT OF FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not applicable.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

This disclosure relates to tillage implements, and in particular towinged tillage implements.

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE

Agricultural implements and machines, such as various plows, tillers,rippers, seeders, nutrient applicators, etc., are used to work soil ofcrop fields. Tillage and other agricultural implements can perform avariety of tasks, such as breaking up tough ground, injecting nutrientsinto the ground, and leveling the ground. Such implements are commonlytowed behind work vehicles, such as tractors, and can be outfitted witha variety of ground-engaging tools, such as shanks, disks, harrowingtools and finishing tools, depending on the ground preparation operationbeing carried out.

The ability to efficiently and effectively conduct ground preparationoperations is highly affected by the ground conditions, such as thewetness, the amount of crop residue, and the general composition of theground. One issue is establishing and maintaining the desired engagementof the tools with the ground. This could be in terms of the properorientation and alignment with the direction of travel of the implement,the proper ground following and penetration to achieve the desiredground preparation, or achieving a consistent orientation, following andpenetration with respect to the ground across the width of the implementtransverse to the travel direction of the implement.

Modern tillage implements may have a central main frame and one or morewings supporting the tools in a prescribed pattern to achieve goodground working and residue flow over an extended swathe of field as theimplement traverses the field. Some tillage implements, for example,have outer wings hinged to inner wings, which, in turn, are hinged atopposite sides of the main frame. The hinges permit the wings to foldinward for transport of the implement on roadways. Arranging the varioustools and attachments as needed for ground-working without interferingwith folding of the implement may be challenging and may requireoperator intervention in the event any of the various components becomeentangled.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

The disclosure generally provides a tillage implement with an improvedoffset disk rank arrangement.

In one aspect the disclosure provides a tillage implement having a mainframe centered on a centerline in a direction of travel of theimplement, and a wing hinged to the main frame to one side of thecenterline. A plurality of gangs, each having tools along its length,includes a main frame gang mounted to the main frame and inner and outerwing gangs mounted to the wing. The inner and outer wing gangs haveinner ends that are forward or rearward with respect to the direction oftravel of outer ends, and wherein the lengths of the inner and outerwing gangs are offset from each other in the direction of travel.

In another aspect the disclosure provides a tillage implement having amain frame centered on a centerline in a direction of travel of theimplement. At least one wing is pivotally coupled to the main frame toat least one side of the centerline. A plurality of disk gangs aremounted to the main frame and the at least one wing, including aplurality of main frame disk gangs mounted to the main frame and aplurality of wing disk gangs mounted to an associated one of the atleast one wing. The main frame disk gangs are mounted to the main framesuch that an inner end of a first main frame disk gang to a first sideof the centerline is forward with respect to the direction of travel ofan outer end of the first main frame disk gang, and an inner end of asecond main frame disk gang to a second side of the centerline oppositethe first side is forward with respect to the direction of travel of anouter end of the second main frame disk gang. The wing frame disk gangsare mounted to the associated at least one wing offset from each othersuch that an inner end of an inner wing disk gang is forward withrespect to the direction of travel of an outer end of the inner wingdisk gang, and an inner end of an outer wing disk gang is forward withrespect to the direction of travel of an outer end of the outer wingdisk gang.

In another aspect the disclosure provides a tillage implement having amain frame centered on a centerline in a direction of travel of theimplement. First and second inner wings are pivotally coupled to themain frame at respective first and second sides of the centerline. Firstand second outer wings are pivotally coupled to the respective first andsecond outer wings opposite the main frame. A plurality of disk gangsare mounted to the main frame and first and second inner and outerwings, including a plurality of main frame disk gangs mounted to themain frame and a plurality of wing disk gangs mounted to each of thefirst and second inner and outer wings. The main frame disk gangs aremounted to the main frame such that an inner end of a first main framedisk gang to a first side of the centerline is forward with respect tothe direction of travel of an outer end of the first main frame diskgang, and an inner end of a second main frame disk gang to a second sideof the centerline opposite the first side is forward with respect to thedirection of travel of an outer end of the second main frame disk gang.Each of the first and second inner and outer wings has inner and outerwing disk gangs mounted offset from each other such that an inner end ofthe associated inner wing disk gang is forward with respect to thedirection of travel of an outer end of the associated inner wing diskgang, and an inner end of the associated outer wing disk gang is forwardwith respect to the direction of travel of an outer end of theassociated outer wing disk gang.

The details of one or more embodiments are set forth in the accompanyingdrawings and the description below. Other features and advantages willbecome apparent from the description, the drawings, and the claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIGS. 1 and 1A are perspective views of example tillage implements inthe form of a mulch finisher and a field cultivator, respectively, inwhich this disclosure may be incorporated;

FIGS. 2 and 2A are top views of the respective tillage implements ofFIGS. 1 and 1A;

FIGS. 3 and 3A are respective side views of thereof;

FIGS. 4 and 4A are respective rear views thereof;

FIGS. 5 and 5A are respective rear views thereof, each shown in apartially folded orientation;

FIGS. 6 and 6A are respective rear views thereof, each shown in a fullyfolded orientation;

FIGS. 7 and 7A are respective front perspective views thereof;

FIGS. 8 and 8A are enlarged rear views showing areas 8-8 and 8A-8A ofFIGS. 6 and 6A, respectively;

FIGS. 9 and 9A are enlarged partial perspective views showing areas 9-9and 9A-9A of FIGS. 1 and 1A, respectively;

FIGS. 10 and 10A are respective enlarged partial rear perspective viewsthereof;

FIGS. 11 and 11A are respective enlarged partial rear perspective viewsthereof, showing finishing attachments exploded from the wing frame;

FIG. 12 is a partial top view showing an example offset disk gangarrangement of the mulch finisher of FIG. 1;

FIG. 13 is an enlarged partial top view showing area 13-13 of FIG. 12;

FIGS. 14 and 15 are enlarged partial perspective views thereof;

FIG. 16 is a side sectional view taken along line 16-16 of FIG. 13;

FIGS. 17-19 are partial side views showing an example spike harrowassembly of the mulch finisher of FIG. 1 in various positions;

FIG. 20 is an enlarged partial sectional view thereof, shown in the FIG.17 position;

FIG. 21 is an enlarged partial sectional view showing area 21-21 of FIG.19;

FIG. 22 is detail view showing area 22-22 of FIG. 21;

FIG. 23 is a partial perspective view showing one anti-tangle bracket ofthe example spike harrow attachment of FIG. 17;

FIG. 24 is a partial side view thereof;

FIG. 24A is a partial end view thereof shown in an orientationcorresponding to when the implement is folded;

FIG. 25 is a partial side view of example tine harrow and finishingbasket attachments of the field cultivator of FIG. 1A;

FIG. 26 is an enlarged partial side view thereof, showing a downforcepressure adjustment mechanism of the example tine harrow attachment ofFIG. 25;

FIG. 27 is a partial side view similar to FIG. 26 showing in phantom theexample tine harrow attachment in one of various positions;

FIG. 28 is an enlarged partial exploded sectional side view showingcertain components of the example tine harrow attachment;

FIG. 29-31 are enlarged partial side sectional views thereof asassembled and in various tine angle positions;

FIG. 32 is a partial perspective view of an example knockdown tineharrow attachment;

FIGS. 33 and 34 are partial rear views thereof, showing knockdown andsmoothing tines, respectively;

FIG. 35 is a partial top view showing a three-rank knockdown tine harrowattachment of FIG. 32 incorporated in the mulch finisher of FIG. 1;

FIG. 36 is a partial top view similar to FIG. 35 of another exampleknockdown tine harrow attachment having five harrow ranks;

FIG. 37 is a partial side view of the example tine harrow and finishingbasket attachments as shown in FIG. 25, showing a roller basket in araised position;

FIG. 38 is an enlarged partial perspective view showing area 38-38 ofFIG. 10A;

FIG. 39 is a partial rear view of FIG. 10A;

FIG. 40 is a partial rear view similar to FIG. 39, showing the rollerbasket pivoted laterally; and

FIG. 41 is a partial rear view showing area 41-41 of FIG. 39.

Like reference symbols in the various drawings indicate like elements.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following describes one or more example embodiments of the disclosedtillage implement, as shown in the accompanying figures of the drawingsdescribed briefly above. Various modifications to the exampleembodiments may be contemplated by one of skill in the art.

As used herein, unless otherwise limited or modified, lists withelements that are separated by conjunctive terms (e.g., “and”) and thatare also preceded by the phrase “one or more of” or “at least one of”indicate configurations or arrangements that potentially includeindividual elements of the list, or any combination thereof. Forexample, “at least one of A, B, and C” or “one or more of A, B, and C”indicates the possibilities of only A, only B, only C, or anycombination of two or more of A, B, and C (e.g., A and B; B and C; A andC; or A, B, and C).

The disclosure is presented and discussed at times with respect tospecific tillage implements, including the example mulch finisher andfield cultivator tillage implements shown in the drawings. It should beunderstood that, as applicable, the principles of the disclosure mayapply to either of the illustrated examples as well as to other tillageimplements (e.g., other compact and conventional primary and secondtillage implements) and other agricultural implements. Thus, thedisclosure should not be limited to the specific examples describedbelow and shown in the accompanying figures of the drawings.

Also, terms of direction and orientation will be used herein withrespect to one or more of a direction of travel and the ground. Forexample, the terms “forward” and “fore” (and variants) refer to adirection corresponding to the direction of travel of the implement,while the terms “rearward” and “aft” (and variants) refer to a directionopposite the direction of travel. The terms “fore-aft” and “fore-aftaxis” are also utilized in reference to a direction or an axis extendingin the fore and aft directions. By comparison, the terms “lateral” or“lateral axis” refer to a direction or an axis that is perpendicular tothe fore-aft axis and extends in a horizontal plane. Also, the terms“vertical” or “vertical axis” refer to a direction or an axis that isorthogonal to a horizontal plane. The terms “up” and “down” (andvariants) refer to a vertical relation to the ground. The terms “inner”or “inside” and “outer” or “outside” (and variants) are terms ofrelative relation to a fore-aft centerline of the implement in which an“inner” object is nearer the centerline than an “outer” object.

Various agricultural machines (e.g., seeders, sprayers, primary andsecondary tillage implements, and so on) have very wide platforms formounting various tools or material dispensing components for workingcrop fields. To allow for transport on roadways, the implements may beformed in sections, one or more of which are able to fold inwardalongside or above a main fame of the implement, which has a controlled(e.g., regulated) width or lateral dimension. The sections may be hingedtogether and pivot with respect to one another between an operationalposition, in which the “wing” frame sections are generally parallel withthe main frame section, and a transport position, in which the wingsections are folded up and/or over the main frame section. An implementmay have as few as one main frame section and one wing section, or itmay have several wing sections, such as multiple (e.g., inner and outer)wing sections on each side of the main frame section.

The effective transport and operational dimensions of the implement maybe governed by various factors. As noted, the transport dimensions maybe governed by roadway regulations for the width and height of vehicles.This, in turn, may affect the operational dimensions of the implement bylimiting the width (i.e., the lateral dimension perpendicular to thedirection of travel) of the sections that may be folded onto or abovethe main frame within the regulated width and height envelope. Thedimensions of the implement during operation may be governed by otherfactors. For example, the operational length (i.e., the longitudinalfore-aft direction of travel) and width of the implement may be limitedby certain practical considerations, such as supportable weight of theimplement, power of the towing vehicle and cost. The length and width ofthe implement may be limited by certain functional aspects, such as thestability of the implement and consistent position of the implement withrespect to the ground during operation

It is important that the implements be able to fold (and unfold) in anunimpeded manner. In certain implements the various tools and materialdispensing components that may be supported by the sections may projectupwardly in various directions and to various extents such that they mayinterfere with another part of the implement (e.g., another tool,material dispensing component, section frame member, wheels, etc.).Moreover, given the large length and width of the implement, and theoften numerous frame, tool and other components of the implement, apotential obstruction may be difficult to identify before commencing afold or unfold operation. In the event of an obstruction, the operatormay be required to reverse the folding operation, exit the vehicle cabinand clear the obstruction before re-commencing folding. Worse yet, insome cases, the obstructions may cause binding or interlocking of theobstructing components in a way that prevents the corresponding sectionsfrom being separated (i.e., unfolded) readily.

Various aspects of this disclosure address these (and other) concernswith conventional agricultural machines, and particularly tillageimplements. In particular, the disclosure affords various improvementsto the compact foldability and ground-following capability ofmulti-section tillage implements. The fold and ground-workingcapabilities will be referenced throughout the following discussionnumerous times, and for brevity, will be referred to as “FGW”capabilities. This term will be understood to represent improvements toeither foldability or ground-working, or both collectively. In otherwords, a particular aspect of the disclosure may pertain to both thefold and ground-working capabilities of the implement, or only thefoldability, or only the ground-working capabilities. Yet, any of theseaspects of the disclosure will be considered to contribute to the FGWcapabilities of the implement.

In certain embodiments, the disclosure provides an improved offset gangarrangement for multi-section agricultural implements. In variousembodiments, the agricultural implement may be a tillage implementhaving a main frame centered on a centerline in the direction of travelof the implement. The implement may have one or more wing sectionshinged to one or more sides of the main frame. The wing section(s) andthe main frame may each have multiple gangs of tools. The main framegangs may be mounted to the main frame such that an inner end of a firstmain frame gang to a first side of the centerline is forward withrespect to the direction of travel of an outer end of the first mainframe gang, and an inner end of a second main frame gang to a secondside of the centerline opposite the first side is forward with respectto the direction of travel of an outer end of the second main framegang. The wing section gangs may be mounted to the associated wingsection offset from each other such that an inner end of an inside winggang is forward with respect to the direction of travel of an outer endof the inside wing gang and an inner end of an outside wing gang isforward with respect to the direction of travel of an outer end of theoutside wing gang.

Unlike some large multi-section tillage implements in which each sectionhas a single elongated gang of tools, this disclosure reduces theeffective space occupied in the fore-aft direction of travel dimensionby having multiple offset disk gangs in each section. Desired toolspacing patterns may be maintained while reducing the longitudinaldimension of the implement (sometimes referred to as “frame depth”).Improved “ground-following,” as it is sometimes called, of the implementmay in turn be achieved by decreasing the frame depth. Proper lateraland longitudinal placement of the disks on the implement, and thereby,good working performance may be achieved. For example, sufficientfore-aft and lateral spacing may be achieved and maintained to allowproper flow of crop residue and debris through the implement (e.g., toprevent plugging of the tools), and proper lateral spacing may beachieved and maintained for consistent ground working across the entireimplement (e.g., to prevent areas of unprocessed or uneven ground).

The angle of each disk with respect to a lateral vertical plane(sometimes referred to as the “steer” angle) and the angle of each diskwith respect to a horizontal plane (sometimes referred to as the “tilt”angle) may be set as needed for good ground preparation. By offsettingthe ends of the gang longitudinally in the fore-aft direction of travel,the steer angle (and also possibly the tilt angle) of the tools may bechanged. The disclosed tillage implement places the tools, such ascultivator disks, at the proper steering angles and at the desiredspacing pattern to achieve proper ground-working and residue flowthrough the implement. Further, the intra-wing offset of the gangs(either forward or rearward) reduces the fore-aft distance occupied bythe gangs in each section. When the aggregate offset for the set of thegangs across all sections of the implement is considered, the reductionin fore-aft distance occupied by the gangs may be significant. The spacereduction may, in turn, allow for a significant reduction in framedepth, thus saving weight and cost and improving ground-following of theimplement. Moreover, in various embodiments, each gang may be adjustedseparately, or adjacent pairs or sets of gangs on a given section may beadjusted together. The latter may help with consistent ground engagementof tools of different gangs and reduce the number of actuatingassemblies needed.

Another aspect of the disclosure that improves upon the FGW capabilitiesof the implement pertains to improvements to the mounting location andarrangement of various attachments to the implement. Unlike someconventional implements, in which various finishing attachments aremounted along laterally-extending frame members via a U-bolt or similartube clamp-type mounting hardware generally at any open area at the rearof the implement, in certain embodiments, the tillage implement may havedrawbars (e.g., for finishing attachments such as harrows, finishingbaskets, etc.) with mounting location fixing features. The mountinglocation fixing features may be configured mechanically to limit thepotential locations, (or define a single location, or one of a selectedfew locations) at which the drawbars may be mounted on the implement andstill perform the dedicated functions. In this way, placement of thedrawbars, and thereby the finishing attachments, may be effectivelyselected by the implement manufacturer rather than the end user oroperator to better insure that implement folding operations may becarried out without obstruction and/or to achieve a tight foldconfiguration.

In certain embodiments, the drawbars may be configured to mount directlyor indirectly to the longitudinal, fore-aft frame members. The drawbarsmay extend in a fore-aft direction offset from, or aligned with, theframe members. Either way, the drawbars, and thereby the finishingattachments, may be located in a generally pre-defined, known spaceenvelope at the rear of the implement. In the design and manufacture ofthe implement then, the frame and other components of the implement maybe located to accommodate the components of the finishing attachmentswithin the pre-defined space envelopes at the prescribed locations.

In certain embodiments, the drawbars may have a body, or a mountingportion of the body, that is generally saddle-shaped, or otherwise has agenerally inverted “U” configuration that defines an open channel sizedto accommodate a fore-aft frame member of the implement. The saddle mayoverlap the fore-aft frame member along some or all of the drawbarslength. Bolts or other fasteners may be used to connect the drawbars tothe fore-aft frame members. The bolts or other fasteners may be arrangedin in the lateral direction of the implement, transverse to thedirection of travel, in which case the bolts or other fasteners mayexperience shear force loading from the attachments, rather than bendingloads. The saddle may define, or join with, an extension arm thatextends beyond the fore-aft frame members to mount the attachments. Theprojecting portion of the saddle and/or extension arm may align with thefore-aft frame member in the direction of travel. Other longitudinallyextending mounting features or components of the attachments (e.g.,pivotal support arms of finishing attachments) may also align with thefore-aft frame members and/or the saddle or extension arm so that theelevated features of the drawbar and the attachments may generally fallalong a common line for which space may be made available during foldingand when in the folded configuration.

Various aspects of the attachments in this disclosure themselves mayalso benefit the FGW capabilities of the implement. For example, incertain embodiments, the finishing attachments may have anti-tanglefeatures or characteristics that limit the free-range of movement oftheir components when in a non-operational state. In this way, thefinishing attachments may function as intended during operation,exhibiting all range of movement necessary to perform its dedicatedground-working function, but have constrained movement in one or moredirections, especially in one or more folding directions, that aid inmaintaining the attachment in a pre-defined space envelope. When mountedto the implement via the drawbars with the generally fixed mountinglocation features, as previously described, not only may the spaceenvelope be pre-defined, so may its location with respect to the frame.The implement may then be designed and manufactured to accommodate thefinishing attachments fitting within the pre-defined space envelope atthe prescribed location.

In certain embodiments, the tillage implement may have a spike harrowattachment with anti-tangle brackets coupling the spike harrow assemblyto associated mounting structure (e.g., the aforementioned drawbars) ofthe implement. In certain embodiments, the anti-tangle brackets may besets of rigid links that are pivotally connected to the spike harrowranks and/or the drawbar to allow movement primarily in one plane (e.g.,parallel to the direction of travel) and resist movement in one or moreother planes (e.g., in the lateral dimension perpendicular to thedirection of travel). The anti-tangle brackets may have pivot jointsbetween the links to provide essentially no compressive forces thatwould otherwise prevent the spike harrow ranks from tripping, whileallowing the full weight of the spike harrow ranks from acting on theground. The anti-tangle brackets provide tensile forces to carry thespike harrow ranks when not in a ground-engaging state, such as whentripped by a rigid ground object or during transport. The anti-tanglebrackets may also provide limited secondary (e.g., lateral) movement topermit enhanced operation the spike harrow attachment (e.g., to improveflow and reduce plugging). The limited lateral movement causes onlyminor positional change during the folding process so that the spikeharrow attachment is generally constrained in its pre-defined spaceenvelope so as not to obstruct folding.

In certain embodiments, the FGW capabilities of the tillage implementmay be enhanced by making the downforce acting on the harrow ranks orother finishing attachment simpler and easier to adjust. The tilt angleadjustment may also be made simpler and easier. These adjustments may bemade under power (e.g., hydraulic control), or if manual, may haveadjustment mechanisms that reduce the forces on the assembly essentiallyto zero during the adjustment procedure. Moreover, the adjustmentmechanisms may essentially eliminate adjustment loads while remaining ina generally operational orientation. Facilitating proper adjustment ofthe harrow ranks may better ensure that the attachment establishes andmaintains the proper ground contact necessary to achieve goodground-working performance.

The FGW capabilities of the tillage implement may also be enhanced by aknockdown tine assembly and associated tine spacing patternimprovements. For example, in certain embodiments, the harrow tineattachment may have one or more “knockdown” tines having a wider toothspacing and/or heavier gauge teeth. One or a row of knockdown tines maybe mounted to a forward rank of the attachment to more aggressively workthe ground. The knockdown tines may each be positioned to straddle areference line extending in the fore-aft direction from aforward-mounted tillage tool (e.g., shank or standard) so that theknockdown tines are first to hit the raised mounds of ground left behindfrom the tool. The larger, stronger teeth thus better withstand theheavier loads, and the wider spacing allows for more soil and residueflow with less plugging. The tines in the ranks of the remainder of theharrow assembly may then be spaced in a prescribed pattern (e.g., suchas a “split the middle” pattern or variants thereof) based off thepositions of the knockdown tines, and their positions with respect toother tillage tools. This arrangement improves ground-finishingperformance, which improves FGW capabilities by better ensuringunimpeded flow through the harrow attachment.

In certain embodiments, the FGW capabilities of the tillage implementmay be enhanced by an improved configuration of a finishing basketattachment. In fact, the disclosed finishing basket attachment may haveseveral features that improve FGW capabilities. For example, whencombined with the drawbar of this disclosure, the finishing basketattachment has roller basket support arms that mount to the drawbars toalign in the fore-aft direction of travel with the fore-aft framemembers. The support arms may be manually adjustable or positioned underpower (e.g., hydraulic control) to raise and lower. By aligning with thedrawbars, the pre-defined space envelope of the support arms and therest of the finishing basket attachment (in any adjusted position) maybe accommodated for in the design and manufacture of the implement so asto better ensure uninhibited folding and unfolding of the framesections. Also, the pivot point of each support arm may be lowered toapproximately the height of the drawbar, and the cross-bar to which theroller basket is mounted may be positioned forward of the roller basket(rather than above it) to reduce the overall space envelope of thefinishing basket attachment. The finishing basket attachment may alsoimprove FGW capabilities through its provision of pivot connectionsbetween the support arms and the cross-bar and the use of materials anddimensions for the support arms that allow the support arms to flexlaterally. The pivot connections and lateral flex of the support armsallow the roller basket to tilt laterally with respect to a horizontalplane as needed to follow side-hills and the like.

Moreover, when actuated under power (e.g., hydraulic control), open- orclose-loop feedback control of one or more finishing attachments mayalso improve the FGW capabilities of the tillage implement. For example,position adjustments of the tools (e.g., ground penetration depth)during operation of the finishing attachments, from predetermined orreal-time inputs, may allow the finishing attachments to perform betteras ground conditions (e.g., soil type, residue percentage, etc.) change.

Referring now to the drawings, one or more example embodiments andimplementations of the disclosed FGW capability improvements will bedescribed with respect to one or both of the example tillage implementsshown in FIGS. 1 and 1A. It will be understood that these tillageimplements are only examples, and that the various aspects of thedisclosure may be incorporated into other tillage implements of the sameor different type, as well as into other agricultural machines. As such,the disclosure should not be limited by the illustrated examplesdescribed below.

As noted above, FIGS. 1 and 1A show two example tillage implements inwhich various aspects of the disclosure may be incorporated usefully. Byway of example, a tillage implement in the form of a 56-foot mulchfinisher is illustrated in FIG. 1, and a tillage implement in the formof a 50-foot field cultivator is illustrated in FIG. 1A. Both of theexample tillage implements are multi-section implements with a mainframe mounting at each side folding inner and outer wing sections. Themulch finisher of FIG. 1 differs from the field cultivator primary bythe inclusion of forward gangs of cultivating disks and the type ofharrow attachment at the rear of the implement. Otherwise, many of thefeatures of the mulch finisher of FIG. 1 are the same or similar to thefeatures of the field cultivator of FIG. 1A. Like reference numeralswill be used in the drawings and the discussion below to refer to thosefeatures that are common to both example tillage implements.Specifically, both example tillage implements will be referred to as “TI100” although for clarity the field cultivator of FIG. 1A will include a0 prime symbol (i.e., “TI 100′”). Similarly, other features of the fieldcultivator that are the same or similar to the mulch finisher will bereferred to using like reference numbers containing a prime symbol. Forclarity, the following discussion will describe the features andfunctionalities of the disclosure with reference to either TI 100 or TI100′, but not both. It will be understood, however, that the featuresand functionality may apply to both example implements, and thatreference to one implement (e.g., TI 100) is a proxy or short-hand forreference to the other implement (e.g., TI 100′), unless otherwisenoted. Generally, any reference to FIGS. 1-11 below should also beunderstood as a reference to FIGS. 1A-11A, and vice versa, unless notedotherwise. Moreover, the direction of travel “D” is the direction thatthe TI 100 is towed or otherwise moves during operation, and thecenterline “C” of the TI 100 extends in the direction of travel D todefine left and right lateral sides.

In the example embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1-7, the TI 100 has fiveframe sections, which are hinged in a foldable configuration.Progressing from left to right in FIGS. 1 and 2, these frame sectionsinclude: (i) a first outer wing section 110, (ii) a first inner wingsection 112, (iii) a main frame section 114, (iv) a second inner wingsection 116, and (v) a second outer wing section 118. The inner wingsections 112, 116 are hinged at opposing lateral sides of the main framesection 114 and may pivot with respect thereto about first and secondinner hinge lines 120. The outer wing sections 110, 118 are hinged atthe laterally outer sides of the inner wing sections 112, 116,respectively, and can pivot relative thereto about first and secondouter hinge lines 122. In embodiments wherein the hinge lines 120, 122extend substantially parallel to the fore-aft axis, as is the case inthe illustrated examples, the hinge lines 120, 122 may alternatively bereferred to as “fore-aft hinge axes.” Such a multi-section hinged designenables the TI 100 to transition from the unfolded operational state,shown in FIGS. 1-4, to a partially folded state, shown in FIG. 5, to alaterally compact, folded state to facilitate transport on roadways,shown in FIGS. 6 and 7. The width of the TI 100 when in the foldedtransport state is generally determined by the spacing between the innerhinge lines 120. In further embodiments, the TI 100 may include agreater or lesser number of wing sections, which may be hinged invarious other foldable configurations.

The frame sections 110-118 each have a number of frame members, such ashollow metal or non-metal tubes or beams (e.g., 2×6 or 2×8 beams, orpairs of 2×2 beams). The frame members may be interconnected to providea lattice-like framework to which an array of tillage tools and othercomponents may be mounted. In the examples, the frame sections 110-118include both laterally-spaced fore-aft frame members 130 and fore-aftspaced lateral frame members 132 (only a few of which are labeled inFIGS. 1 and 2 for clarity), which are bolted, welded or otherwiseinterconnected in the manner illustrated. The frame sections 110-118 mayassume various other forms and may have other constructions in otherembodiments, provided that the frame sections 110-118 enable thebelow-described tillage tools and attachments to be mounted at selectedlocations across the TI 100. The TI 100 may also include various othercomponents mounted to the frame sections 110-118 at selected locationsto facilitate towing of the TI 100, to automate movement of the TI 100between folded and unfolded states, or to provide other functions. Suchcomponents may include a tow hitch 140 projecting from the main framesection 114 in a forward direction, a number of ground-engaging wheels142 (only a few of which are labeled in FIGS. 1 and 2 for clarity), andan actuation system 144 (e.g., controllers, hydraulic cylinders, andassociated plumbing) for transitioning the TI 100 between its unfoldedoperational state (FIGS. 1-4) and its folded transport state (FIGS. 6and 7).

The TI 100 is equipped with a plurality of ground-engaging tillage tools150, such as “standards” (only a few of which are labeled in FIGS. 1 and2 for clarity). The tillage tools 150 may be mounted to the framesections 110-118 in a strategically-chosen spatial formation or array,with each tool mounted at a particular location dictated by a prescribedtool placement pattern. Such a prescribed tool placement pattern may bedetermined based upon any number of design parameters and other factors,such as a desired furrow row spacing. In the illustrated example, thetillage tools 150 are positioned in a so-called “staggered split themiddle pattern;” however, in other embodiments, the tillage tools 150may be positioned in accordance with various other tool placementpatterns or spatial arrays, as tailored to suit different applicationsand implement designs.

Adherence to the prescribed tool placement pattern may directly affectthe performance of the TI 100 (e.g., residue flow and ground smoothing).Adherence to the prescribed tool placement pattern may be disrupted,however, when various components of the implement (e.g., wheels, framejoints, other tools) coincide with one or more of the prescribedtool-mount locations. In such instances, the TI 100 may be designed withlarger frame sections, particularly in the fore-aft dimension, tomaintain the tool pattern while accommodating the other components, orto relocate certain of the tools, thereby disrupting the tool pattern.As noted, disrupting the tool pattern may have an adverse effect onperformance, and the ability to change section dimensions may belimited, (e.g., upper transport width limit), or even if not, changingsection dimensions may impact FGW capabilities. Aspects of thedisclosure may be incorporated into the TI 100 to permit strictadherence to the prescribed tool placement pattern, while maintainingthe lateral width (or “hinge-to-hinge” dimension) of the main framesection 114. In this manner, the TI 100 may be imparted with arelatively broad wingspan when in an unfolded operational state and witha sufficiently narrow width in the folded transport state as well as areduced fore-aft dimension (“frame depth”) for better ground-followingduring operation, all without deviation from the prescribed toolplacement configuration.

First, with reference to FIGS. 1, 2, and 12-16, an intra-wing offsettool mounting configuration will now be described. The example TI 100has a forward tool arrangement mounted in gangs at the leading sides ofthe frame sections 110-118. The principles of the intra-wing offsetmounting arrangement aspect of the disclosure are generally applicableto gang mounting any type of tools, for example, in the illustratedembodiment the TI 100 has gangs of rotating cultivator disks. Moreover,the principles of the intra-wing offset mounting arrangement may applyto implements in which the gangs are mounted either in a forwardly orrearwardly angled orientation with respect to the direction of travel D,such as the rearwardly angled orientation illustrated with respect tothe TI 100. Further, it should be noted that adjacent ends of adjacentgangs, intra-wing and/or inter-wing, may be spaced apart in the lateraldirection, or they may overlap in the lateral direction, such that theouter end of an inner gang may be in front of or behind the inner end ofan outer gang. Thus, whether angled forward or rearward, overlapping orspaced apart, each frame section 110-118, in particular the wingsections 110, 112, 116, 118, has multiple gangs of shorter length thanthe lateral dimension of the associated frame section and are arrangedso that, at least within a given frame, their lengths are offset fromone another in the direction of travel D.

Specifically, the main frame section 114 has two disk gangs 200 and 202,the inner wing sections 112, 116 each have two disk gangs 204, 206 and208, 210, respectively, and the outer wing sections 110, 118 each havedisk gangs 212, 214 and 216, 218, respectively. Each disk gang may havea rockshaft 220 (only a few of which are labeled) mounted to one of theframe members 130, 132 of the associated frame section 110-118. Therockshafts 220 are mounted, as described below, to pivot with respect tothe frame sections 110-118 to raise and lower the disks 230. Each disk230 (only a few of which are labeled) of the disk gangs is mounted torotate with respect to the rockshaft 220 (e.g., view a shank-mountedbearing assembly) when engaged with the ground and the TI 100 is movingin the direction of travel D.

As can be seen in the top views of FIGS. 2 and 12, the disk gangs aremounted in an angularly offset arrangement in which ends of each diskgang are at different positions in the fore-aft direction, and each diskgang is at a different mounting location on a given side of the fore-aftcenterline C. In the illustrated example, the disk gangs are arrangedacross the TI 100 in a mirrored orientation with respect to thecenterline C to cascade rearward in the same or a similar manner at thesame or similar fore-aft and lateral positons on each lateral side ofthe TI 100.

In particular, in the illustrated example, the disk gangs 200, 202 aremounted to the main frame section 114 in mirrored orientations so thatthe inner ends of the disk gangs 200, 202 are forward of their outerends. The disk gangs 200, 202 (and the others) are shorter than thelateral dimension of the associated frame section. Apart from the spacesavings detailed below, using shorter disk gangs allows for certaincomponents to be smaller (e.g., the lengthwise bolts securing the diskslaterally), and thus less costly. The disk gangs 200, 202 each may be ofthe same or similar length, which may be a length sufficient to extendin a lateral distance from the centerline C to the outer edges of themain frame section 114. In other words, in the illustrated example inwhich there are two gangs per section, each gang may have a length orextend in the lateral direction roughly equivalent to one half of thelateral dimension of its associated frame section. When the framesections 110-118 have the same or similar lateral dimensions, such as inthe illustrated example, the gangs may all be the same length andoriented at the same or similar offset angles. It should be understoodthat more than two gangs may be included in each section and that one ormore of the gangs may be of a different length, or at a differentangular orientation, than the others.

Continuing, the disk gangs 204, 206, 208, 210 of the two inner wingsections 112, 116 may be mounted so that the inner end of each disk gangis forward of its outer end. In particular, the inner wing inner diskgangs 204, 208 are mounted to the associated inner wing section 112, 116so that the inner ends are outside, and slightly forward, of the outerends of the main frame disk gangs 200, 202, respectively. The inner wingouter disk gangs 204, 210 are mounted to the associated inner wingsection 112, 116 so that their inner ends are slightly outside, andslightly forward, of the outer ends of the inner wing inner disk gangs206, 208, respectively. In a similar manner, the disk gangs 212, 214,216, 218 of the two outer wing sections 110, 118 may be mounted so thatthe inner end of each disk gang is forward of its outer end. Inparticular, the outer wing inner disk gangs 214, 216 are mounted to theassociated outer wing section 110, 118 so that the inner ends areslightly outside, and slightly forward, of the outer ends of the innerwing outer disk gangs 204, 210, respectively. The outer wing outer diskgangs 212, 218 are mounted to the associated outer wing section 110, 118so that their inner ends are slightly outside, and slightly forward, ofthe outer ends of the outer wing inner disk gangs 214, 216,respectively.

By way of example, the 56-foot mulch finisher example of the TI 100illustrated in FIG. 1 has five sections, and as shown in FIG. 12, thedisk gangs are oriented angularly offset from the lateral direction byan angle θ of about eight degrees to provide a steer angle γ suitablefor ground-working of about eight degrees. In the example embodiment,shortening and offsetting the gangs within each frame section may reducethe fore-aft distance occupied by the gangs by approximately seveninches per offset, or about 28 inches overall in the twin gang, fivesection implement shown. This represents a reduction in frame depth, andthe fore-aft frame members 130, of about 14 inches compared toimplements with a single gang per frame section. The frame depthreduction improves the FGW capabilities of the implement, whilemaintaining the prescribed tool placement pattern.

Further, the noted gain in FGW capability may be achieved without extraspace requirements, complexity, weight or cost being added to theimplement. For example, each pair of disk gangs on the frame sections110-118 may be actuated using a single actuator. The TI 100 may have anactuator assembly 250 mounted to each frame section 110-118 to raise andlower both of the associated disk gangs simultaneously. This not onlyreduces part-count, cost and weight, but it also ensures that both diskgangs in each pair are positioned uniformly with respect to the frame,and thereby the ground (i.e., the same penetration depth), or in otherwords are “leveled” with respect to one another. It should be notedthat, if desired, the disk gangs may be clocked differently so that theactuator assembly 250 may position the associated disk gangs atdifferent heights (or penetration depths). Moreover, separate actuatorsfor each disk gang could be provided if space, cost and weight are notof concern.

In particular, each actuator assembly 250 may include an actuator 252operatively coupled to the actuation system 144, which in this case maybe a dual-acting hydraulic cylinder. As will be understood, thehydraulic cylinder may be coupled, via various hydraulic fluid carryingplumbing lines, to a hydraulic pump on board the towing vehicle. Also onboard the towing vehicle may be one or more controllers havingprocessers and memory architecture for controlling the position ofvarious electro-hydraulic valves, which may be connected to thecontroller(s) directly or by a suitable bus and which control theextension and/or the retraction of the cylinder piston. As noted, thehydraulic cylinder may be a dual-acting cylinder that may be driven toextend and retract.

The actuator 252 may be mounted to the associated frame section at thesame or a similar angle as the steer angle γ of the disk gangs by acylinder anchor 254. The cylinder anchor 254 may have a slot 256 orother opening through which pivot arms 260 may extend. The pivot arms260 may each be coupled to an end of one of the rockshafts 220 of thepair of disk gangs, the rockshafts 220 being suitably mounted (e.g., viabearings, pillow blocks, etc.) to the disk gangs so as to rotate withrespect to the frame section. Extending and retracting a piston 266 ofthe actuator 252 will pivot the pivot arms 260 to pivot the rockshafts220, and thereby raise and lower the disks 230 of the disk gangs. Theends of the rockshafts 220 may extend far enough laterally so that thepivot arms 260 may fall along the stroke axis of the actuator 252. Theupper ends of the pivot arms 260 may have suitable connections, such asclevises 270, for coupling to the actuator 252. Specifically, the clevis270 of one of the pivot arms 260 may connect directly to the piston 266of the actuator 252 and to a tie rod 272 coupling the devises 270together. The tie rod 272 may be adjustable, such as in the form of aturn-buckle threaded at each end, so that the relative angularorientation of the pivot arms 260 may be varied. The turn-buckle tie rod272 provides a simple and quick mechanism for adjusting the level of thedisks in the gang-pair relative to the frame (and the ground), and thusto the disks 230 of gang-pairs of other frame sections. This mechanismalso allows the gang-pairs to be clocked differently, if desired, sothat the disks 230 of one disk gang in the pair may have a differentheight (or penetration depth) than the disks 230 of the other disk gangin the pair.

Other aspects of the disclosure facilitate the TI 100 to assume a tight,compact folded configuration with reduced or no incidents of binding orobstructing while folding and unfolding the wing sections. Referring nowto FIGS. 1-2 and 9-11, the TI 100 may have an improved configuration formounting various attachments at the rear of the implement, includingfinishing attachments such as various harrow assemblies and rollerbaskets. More specifically, the TI 100 may have dedicated locations atwhich the finishing attachments are to be mounted to the frame sections110-118 so that the finishing attachments fall within the pre-definedspace envelopment intended during design and manufacturing. Unlikeconventional systems that allow the finishing attachments to be mountedanywhere along the rear lateral frame member using a U-bolt or othertube clamp fastener, the TI 100 has the finishing attachment mounted tothe fore-aft frame members 130, such that their lateral position isfixed. This keeps the gross positioning of the finishing attachments inpredetermined locations so as to allow folding in a tight foldconfiguration without binding. As shown in FIGS. 5-7, the TI 100 mayfold so that the outer wing sections 110,118 may fold inward about hingelines 122 on top of the inner wing sections 112, 116, respectively,approximately 180 degrees (FIG. 5). The inner wing sections 112, 116,and the folded outer wing sections 110, 118, then may fold inward abouthinge lines 120 approximately 90 degrees (FIG. 6) so that the inner andouter wing sections are near perpendicular to the main frame section114.

In the illustrated examples, this location fixing functionality isachieved in part due to the mounting technique employed and the uniqueconfiguration of the mounting interface. In particular, the finishingattachments attach using drawbars 300 (only some of which are labeled)mounted to the rearward ends of one or more (or all) of the fore-aftframe members 130. The drawbars 300 may thus become an integral part, orextension of, the fore-aft frame members 130. The drawbars 300 may bethe same, and each drawbar 300 may form a channel portion, or include asaddle 310 generally having an inverted U-shaped configuration defininga channel 312 opening at a lower side of the drawbar 300 sized toreceive the thickness (i.e., lateral) dimension of the associatedfore-aft frame member 130. The channel 312 may be located at a forwardend of the drawbar 300 or may run the full length of the drawbar 300, asshown. The saddle 310 has long sides 314 that fit along the transverse(i.e., vertical width) dimension of the fore-aft frame member 130 sothat the saddle 310 overlaps the top and sides of the frame member. Thesides 314 may be over-sized for certain frame members so that they maybe used with other wider frame members. Thus, as shown, an upper wall316 of the saddle 310, and in certain embodiments the entire drawbar300, may be spaced from (above) the upper wall of the frame member.Alternatively, or when the drawbars 300 are used with larger framemembers (e.g., 8-inch rather than 6-inch frame members), the upper wall316 of the saddle 310 may rest on the top of the frame member.

The drawbars 300 are mounted in cantilever fashion to the ends of thefore-aft members 130 so that an elongated support arm 320 extendsrearward beyond the rearward ends of the frame members 130. In this way,the various components of the attachments may depend down from thedrawbars 300 without interfering with the frame members 130, 132 orother components of the TI 100, as will be described below. The drawbars300 may be mounted to the fore-aft frame members 130 by any suitablemechanical connection (e.g., welds, rivets, bolts, or other fasteners).For example, bolts 330 may be inserted into one or more sets of alignedopenings in the sides 314 of the saddle 310 and the fore-aft framemember 130. In the examples, the long dimensions of the bolts 330 willextend in the lateral dimension transverse to the direction of travel D,which will subject the bolts 330 to shear forces rather than bending orother loading during operation of the TI 100. Shear loading provides aneffectively stronger connection in that it will not tend to bend thebolts 330 from use.

As explained, the drawbars 300, including the saddle 310 and support arm320 portions thereof, may be mounted to the TI 100 only at predeterminedpositions, including fore-aft and lateral locations at the rear of theimplement. The drawbars 300 may be mounted so that their long dimensionsextend in precise or close alignment with the fore-aft frame members130. It should be understood that in other embodiments the drawbars maybe configured so that extending portions thereof (e.g., the supportarms) extend in a fore-aft direction that is parallel to, but offsetfrom, the fore-aft frame members 130. Alternatively or additionally, thedrawbars may be configured so that one or more extending portions (e.g.,the support arms) are at an oblique or perpendicular angle to thefore-aft direction.

Various aspects of the disclosed finishing attachments will now bediscussed. First, aspects of a spike harrow attachment 400 will beaddressed with regard to the example configuration shown in FIGS. 9-11(but not FIGS. 9A-11A) and FIGS. 17-24. A spike harrow attachment 400may be attached to one or more (or all) of the drawbars 300 in all or asubset of the frame sections 110-118. In the example embodiment of FIG.1 (but not FIG. 1A), the TI 100 has spike harrow attachments withanti-tangle brackets (as will be described) only at the main frame 114and outer wing 110, 118 sections (the inner wing sections 112, 116 havechains). The anti-tangle features are particularly useful for the outerwing sections 110, 118, which pivot about the hinge lines 122approximately 180 degrees to a generally inverted orientation (see FIG.5) during folding and unfolding, and which end up on at the center ofthe implement (between the inner wing sections) when in the foldedconfiguration (see FIG. 7).

The example spike harrow attachment 400 has a set of ranks of spikes,including four rank bars 410 (e.g., L-channel bar stock) to which aremounted individual spikes 420 (only some of which are labeled) disposedin openings in the rank bars 410 and mounted (e.g., via U-bolts) to beat rearward tilt angle α from an enlarged upper end to a pointed tip.The rank bars 410 are joined together by one or more crossbars, such ascrossbar 430, which is connected by mounting brackets 432. The rank bars410 may be spaced apart the same or different distances in the fore-aftdirection, and they may be the same or different lengths and laterallyaligned or offset from one another to provide the desired lateralcoverage and lateral and fore-aft spike spacing. For example, the spikes420 may be arranged in a pattern with a generally consistent fore-aftspacing between ranks and a generally consistent lateral spacing withineach rank. However, the rank bars 410 may be laterally offset so thatthe spikes 420 in an immediate rearward rank evenly straddle, and centeron, fore-aft reference lines through the spikes 420 of the immediatelyforward rank. Moreover, the forward-most rank may be arranged apredetermined fore-aft spacing from the rear row of tillage tools 150,which may be the same as, or differ from, the spacing between ranks, andmay be positioned to evenly straddle, and center on, a fore-aftreference line through the associated tillage tool 150.

As mentioned, the ranks of spikes may be mounted to one or more of thedrawbars 300. In the example embodiment, the ranks may be mounted to twodrawbars 300 each by one or more anti-tangle bracket assemblies 440,such as the four shown in the example embodiment. The anti-tanglebracket assemblies 440 are configured to permit the freedom of movementnecessary for the spike harrow attachment 400 to perform as intendedduring operation, including to allow the full weight of the ranks (andthe rest of the assembly) to act upon the ground so that the spikes 420penetrate the ground, but also to allow the ranks to trip so that thespikes 420 move out of engagement with the ground in the eventexcessively hard ground or an immovable object is encountered. Theanti-tangle bracket assemblies 440 may also permit lateral movement ofthe ranks relative to the drawbar 300 to aid in residue flow between thespikes 420 and to reduce plugging. However, the lateral movement of theranks is constrained (e.g., to a few inches toward each lateral side ofthe TI 100). This constrained lateral movement limits shifting of thespike harrow attachment 400 during folding and unfolding. When thedrawbars 300 are mounted to the TI 100 at the predetermined locations,as described above, each spike harrow attachment 400 is located in itspre-defined position and maintained there with little, or possibly evenno, shifting during folding and unfolding. By way of example, theexample embodiment may allow a lateral movement of 3-6 inches, such thatduring the folding process and/or when the TI 100 is in the foldedtransport position, the spike harrow attachment 400 may shift acorresponding distance (e.g., dropping under gravity when the section isoriented near vertical) (see FIG. 24A). This limited shifting is aconsiderable reduction from the approximately twenty inches or so ofshifting possible with conventional hang chain harrow attachments. Inthis way, the anti-tangle bracket assemblies enhance both aspects of theFGW capabilities of the TI 100.

In particular, each of the example anti-tangle bracket assemblies 440may have a scissor linkage arrangement with two pivot links 450 and 452.The lower end of the lower pivot link 452 is connected to a pivot pin454 of the associated mounting bracket 432. The lower pivot link 452could be coupled directly to the associated mounting bracket 432, or tothe crossbar 430 of the associated rank bar 410. The upper end of theupper pivot link 450 is pivotally connected to the drawbar 300. In theexample configuration, the upper pivot link 450 has a clevisconfiguration in which legs of the clevis mount to each side of thedrawbar 300 by a pivot pin 456 (e.g., a bolt). The pivot links 450, 452are pivotally coupled together by a central pivot pin 458. The longdimensions of the pivot pins 454, 456, 458 may be arranged to extend inthe lateral direction, and thus realize shear, rather than bending,loads during operation. The four anti-tangle bracket assemblies 440, onefor each rank bar 410, may be connected to the drawbar 300 in the sameor similar fore-aft spacing at the ranks. Openings for the pivot pins456 may be formed in integral lobes 460 formed by the short sides of thesupport arm 320 portion of the drawbar 300. The anti-tangle bracketassemblies 440 thus form a four-bar linkage arrangement with the drawbar300 and the crossbar 430 so that the spike harrow attachment 400 remainslevel or otherwise maintains the same pitch and roll orientation duringpivotal movement (e.g., tripping) during operation.

The anti-tangle bracket assemblies 440 may further be configured tofacilitate fully trip movement of the spike harrow attachment 400. Inparticular, one link in each pair of pivot links 450, 452 may be longerthan the other. In the example embodiment, the upper pivot link 450 islonger than the lower pivot link 452, such as by a ratio ofapproximately 2-3:1. In the example embodiment, the pivot links 450, 452are curved with the concavities being in opposite fore-aft orientations(e.g., the upper pivot link is concave rearward and the lower pivot linkis concave forward). The presence and shape of the concave surfaces maybe configured to avoid interference of the links pivoting from othercomponents or features of the attachment, drawbar or other parts of theTI 100 (e.g., to accommodate an actuator mechanism for a finishingbasket attachment). As can be seen from FIGS. 17-19, the pivot links450, 452 pivot in opposite clock orientations. For example, from theperspective of FIGS. 17-19, the upper pivot link 450 pivotscounter-clockwise about pivot pin 456, and the lower pivot link pivotsclockwise about the pivot pin 454. The configuration and relativelengths of the pivot links 450, 452 in the example embodiment permit theanti-tangle bracket assemblies 440 to pivot in the fore-aft directionsufficient to pivot rearward from the fully ground-engaging position ofFIG. 17, which is at approximately 65 degrees down from horizontal, tothe fully tripped position of FIG. 19, which is at approximately 10degrees down from horizontal. Pivot links of the same length could beused in cases where a lower trip height is acceptable.

The anti-tangle bracket assemblies 440 may have features, such as stoppins 470 in lobes 472 near the upper end of each upper pivot link 450,that cooperate and interfere with features, such as the lobes 460,formed in the sides of the drawbar 300, as shown in FIGS. 20 and 21. Aconventional drag chain 480 may be coupled to the drawbar 300 and thespike harrow attachment 400 so that the spikes 420 operate at theirdesired angle with the weight of the spike harrow attachment 400 on thespikes 420. When drag is set correctly, the anti-tangle bracketassemblies 440 will run partially tripped so that the spikes 420 move upand down to follow the ground.

Aspects of a tine harrow attachment 500 will be now addressed withregard to the example TI 100′ shown in FIGS. 9A-11A and FIGS. 25-31.Like the spike harrow attachment, the tine harrow attachment 500 maymount to one or more of the drawbars 300′, such as a pair of drawbars ofeach of the frame sections 110-118. The example tine harrow attachment500 has a set of ranks of tines, including three rank bars 510 (e.g.,C-channel bar stock) to which are mounted tines 520 (only some of whichare labeled). Each of the tines 520 may have two elongated rod portionsor “teeth” 522 that are spaced apart and connected by a center portionor “staple” 524. Each tine 520 may be an assembly of parts or amonolithic member with coiled areas for flexing at each end of thestaple 524. Also, one or more of the tines 520 may have a single tooth.The tines 520 may be mounted to the rank bars 510 using suitablebrackets and fasteners to clamp the staples 524 to the rank bars 510.The tines 520 may be mounted to the rank bars 510 to be at a rearwardtilt angle α. The rank bars 510 may be joined together by one or morecrossbars, such as crossbar 530, which is connected by mounting brackets532. The rank bars 510 may be spaced apart the same or differentdistances in the fore-aft direction, and they may be the same ordifferent lengths and laterally aligned or offset from one another toprovide the desired lateral coverage and lateral and fore-aft tinespacing. For example, the tines 520 may be the same size (e.g., gaugethickness and/or teeth spacing and length) and may be arranged in apattern with a generally consistent fore-aft spacing between ranks and agenerally consistent lateral spacing within each rank. The rank bars 510may be laterally offset so that the teeth 522 of the tines 520 in animmediate rearward rank evenly straddle, and center on, fore-aftreference lines through the teeth 522 of the tines 520 of theimmediately forward rank. Moreover, the forward-most rank may bearranged a predetermined fore-aft spacing from the rear row of tillagetools 150′, which may be the same as, or differ from, the spacingbetween ranks, and may be positioned to evenly straddle, and center on,a fore-aft reference line through the associated tillage tool 150′.

As mentioned, the ranks of tines may be mounted to one or more of thedrawbars 300′. In the example embodiment, the ranks may be mounted totwo drawbars 300′ each by one or more pivot links, such as pivot links540 and 542 shown in the example embodiment. The pivot links 540, 542permit the freedom of movement necessary for the tine harrow attachment500 to perform as intended during operation so that the tines 520penetrate the ground, but also to allow the ranks to trip so the tines520 move out of engagement with the ground in the event excessively hardground or an immovable object is encountered. The pivot links 540, 542(e.g., by proper pivot connections) may also permit lateral movement ofthe ranks relative to the drawbar 300′ to aid in residue flow betweenthe tines 520 and to reduce plugging. However, the lateral movement ofthe ranks is constrained (e.g., to a few inches toward each lateral sideof the TI 100′). The rigid pivot links 540, 542 constrained lateralmovement limits shifting of the tine harrow attachment 500 duringfolding and unfolding. When the drawbars 300′ are mounted to the TI 100′at the predetermined locations, as described above, each tine harrowattachment 500 is located in its pre-defined position and maintainedthere with little, or possibly even no, shifting during folding andunfolding. By way of providing one specific example only, the exampleembodiment may allow a lateral movement of 1-6 inches, such that duringthe folding process and/or when the TI 100′ is in the folded transportposition, the tine harrow attachment 500 may shift a correspondingdistance (e.g., dropping under gravity when the section is oriented nearvertical). This limited shifting is a significant reduction from theapproximately twenty inches or so of shifting possible with conventionalhang chain harrow attachments. In this way, the tine harrow attachment500 enhances both aspects of the FGW capabilities of the TI 100′.

In particular, in the example embodiment, pivot links 540, 542 areassemblies of link members 544 and 546, respectively, that are coupledtogether and spaced apart in the lateral direction. The lower ends ofthe pivot links 540, 542 are connected by pivot pins 550 to theassociated mounting brackets 532, the crossbar 530 and/or the associatedrank bar 510. The upper ends of the pivot links 540, 542 are pivotallyconnected to the drawbar 300′ by pivot pins 552 (e.g., bolts). The longdimensions of the pivot pins 550, 552 may be arranged to extend in thelateral direction, and thus realize shear, rather than bending, loadsduring operation. Openings for the pivot pins 552 may be formed in theshort sides of the support arm 320′ portion of the drawbar 300′. Thepivot links 540, 542 thus form a four-bar linkage arrangement with thedrawbar 300′ and the crossbar 530 so that the tine harrow attachment 500remains level or otherwise maintains the same pitch and roll orientationduring pivotal movement (e.g., tripping) in operation. The pivot links540, 542 may further be configured to facilitate full tripping movementof the tine harrow attachment 500. In the example embodiment, the pivotlinks 540, 542 are angled or curved (or “dog-legged”) to provide thedesired range of motion and trip height without interference by otherfeatures (e.g., to accommodate an actuator mechanism for a finishingbasket attachment).

Unlike the aforementioned example spike harrow attachment 400, whichuses the weight of the assembly to engage the spikes 420 with theground, the tine harrow attachment 500 may be biased in engagement withthe ground by a downforce member, such as downforce spring 560. Whilethe example embodiment includes downforce spring 560, other biasingcomponents could be used, including any of various other springconfigurations or piston-cylinder arrangements (e.g., pneumatic orhydraulic cylinders). Thus, the term “spring” as used herein will beunderstood to include conventional coiled metal wire springs andpiston-cylinder actuators. As will be understood, the downforce spring560 applies a biasing force to the pivot links 540, 542 in the clockwisedirection (from the perspective of FIG. 25) to bias the ranks downwardtoward the ground to engage the teeth 522 of the tines 520 with theground during operation. The pivot links 540, 542 pivotcounter-clockwise (from the perspective of FIG. 25) to allow the ranksto trip rearward against the biasing force of the downforce spring 560when an obstruction is encountered, after which the downforce spring 560(and gravity) return the ranks to engage the tines 520 with the ground.The range of pivoting and the trip height, for example, may be the sameor similar to that of the spike harrow attachment 400.

It may be desirable to adjust the amount of downforce applied to theharrow ranks, such as to preferentially load the tine harrow attachment500 for different ground conditions (e.g., soil type, hardness andresidue coverage, etc.). With particular reference to FIGS. 25-27, thedownforce spring 560 may be pivotally coupled at one end to the drawbar300′ or one of the pivot links 540, 542, and adjustably coupled to theother component at its other end. For example, in the exampleembodiment, the downforce spring 560 may have a loop or hook end 562that fits about a fixed pin 564 extending laterally between, and mountedin openings in, the sides of the drawbar 300′. The downforce spring 560may have another loop or hook end 566 that fits about a pull pin 568(e.g., an L-shaped pin, the short leg of which acts as a handle). Thelong leg of the pull pin 568 extends in the lateral direction and fitsinto aligned pairs of openings, such as the three sets of adjustmentopenings 570A-570C, in the links 546 of the rear pivot link 542.Positioning the pull pin 568 in a different set of the adjustmentopenings 570A-570C changes the amount of biasing force applied to theharrow ranks by the downforce spring 560. Specifically, theperpendicular distance of the adjustment opening 570A is closer to thefulcrum (e.g., pivot pin 552) of the pivot link 542, and thus provides ashorter lever arm for the moment providing the biasing force, whichdecreases the moment and thereby the downforce, compared to thatprovided by the other adjustment openings 570B-C. It will thus beunderstood that when the pull pin 568 is in the adjustment openings570A, the downforce spring 560 provides a lesser biasing moment andcorresponding effective downforce, than when in the adjustment opening570B, which provides a lesser biasing moment and corresponding effectivedownforce than when in the adjustment opening 570C.

In certain embodiments, an adjustment mechanism may be included so thatthe downforce may be adjusted with generally unfettered access from therear of the implement and without fighting the downforce spring 560, inother words while the downforce spring 560 is at a zero-force, orfixed-length, state, neither in compression or tension. Further, suchzero downforce adjustment may be carried out without repositioning theharrow ranks, in other words while the harrow ranks are maintained inthe same (e.g., operational) orientation. This may be accomplished bypositioning the adjustment openings 570A-C so that their centers fallalong an arc “A” defined by a fixed-length radius line “R” (FIG. 26)originating from the fulcrum (e.g., the lateral axis of the fixed pin564), in which the radius R is equal to the fixed-length of thedownforce spring 560. Thus, provided the adjustment openings arecentered of the arc defined by the radius R, the number and angularspacing between the sets of adjustment openings could be increased ordecreased, and the angular spacing could be the same or differentbetween consecutive sets of adjustment openings. In this way, withoutneeding to stretch or compress the downforce spring 560, the downforceacting on the harrow ranks during operation may be changed by simplyremoving the pull pin 568 from one set of adjustment openings (and thehook end 566 of the downforce spring 560) and reinserting it intoanother set of adjustment openings (and the hook end 566).

The tine harrow attachment 500 may have mechanical stop features tolimit the forward and/or rearward movement of the harrow ranks. In theillustrated example, forward and rearward stop pins 572 may be mountedto the drawbar 300′ at suitable forward and rearward locations withrespect to the forward pivot pin 552 for the forward pivot link 540.Protruding ends of the stop pins 572 cooperate, and are engaged by,opposite forward and rearward edges of the forward pivot link 540 tolimit the pivot angle of the pivot links 540, 542, and thereby theharrow ranks. If desired, the forward stop pin 572 may be located to setthe operating position (i.e., the non-tripped position) of the harrowranks.

It may also be desirable to set and adjust the angle of attack (i.e.,fore-aft tilt angle α) of the tines 520 based on the ground conditions(e.g., soil type, hardness and residue coverage, etc.). In exampleembodiment, as shown in FIGS. 25 and 28-31, the rank bars 510 may bepivotally connected to the crossbar 530 to pivot either forward orrearward from a vertical or perpendicular orientation of the tines 520.Moreover, the crossbar 530 may have slots 580 in its upper wall throughwhich extend vanes 582 of an adjustment plate 584 that have fore-aftslots sized to receive the thickness of the upper wall of the crossbar530 so that the fore-aft position of the adjustment plate 584 may bechanged. The lower side of the adjustment plate 584 may have angledbumps 586 spaced apart in the fore-aft direction so that one bump 586 ispositioned behind each rank bar 510 to limit the rearward pivot angle βof the rank bars 510. For example, the front edge of each bump 586 maybe angled downward and rearward as needed to engage the associated rankbar 510 after pivoting through a prescribed angle. Alternatively oradditionally, the bumps 586 may be positioned and configured so that thefront edges engage the rank bars 510 to set the tilt angle α of thetines 520 without allowing rearward pivoting.

In either case, by changing the fore-aft position of the adjustmentplate 584 in the crossbar 530, the tines 520 may pivot rearward to adifferent angle at which the rank bars 510 engage the bumps 586 of theadjustment plate 584, as shown in FIGS. 29 and 30, or the adjustmentplate 584 may engage the rank bars 510 to set the tines 520 at adifferent tilt angle, as shown in FIG. 31. An adjustment mechanism maybe included to control the position of the adjustment plate 584 relativeto the crossbar 530, and thus the pivot or tilt angle of the tines 520.In the example embodiment, the adjustment mechanism is a pin and slotarrangement, including a pull pin 588 that fits into an aligned set ofadjustment openings 590 in sides of the crossbar 530 and the adjustmentplate 584. Each adjustment opening 590 may at any suitable fore-aft andvertical location to position the adjustment plate 584 as needed toachieve the desired tilt angle α and/or pivot angle β of the tines 520.By way of example, the tines 520 may be positioned at an aggressive tiltangle α of about 70 degrees (from a horizontal plane) to a lessaggressive 50 degrees, or allow the tines 520 a pivot angle β of about20 degrees rearward.

Alternatively or additionally, the tilt angle of the tines may beadjusted by using multiple adjustment plates, such as one for each rank.The adjustment plates may be mounted within separate crossbars pivotallyconnecting the rank bars, or they may be stacked together side-by-sidewithin a single crossbar. Each adjustment plate may have its own vaneand bump features that are used, respectively, for adjustably connectingthe adjustment plate to the crossbar and to set the angle to which theassociated rank bar may pivot. Whether separately mounted or mounted ina stacked configuration, the multiple adjustment plates may be used toset different tilt angles for the tines in different ranks. In thestacked configuration, one or more slots may be provided in theadjustment plates so that they may move independently from each other,while being secured to the crossbar with one or more fasteners (e.g.,one or more bolts).

In certain embodiments, the tine harrow attachment 500 may have tinesthat are of the same or different size and shape, for example, includingone or more “smoothing” tines 520 and one or more “knockdown” tines 620,which, comparatively, have a thicker gauge thickness and/or wider toothspacing, as shown in FIGS. 33 and 34. In the example shown in FIG. 33,the knockdown tine 620 may have both a thicker gauge and a wider toothspacing. The larger gauge and wide spaced teeth of the knockdown tines620 may be useful for more aggressive ground working, such as forinitially addressing, or knocking down, the large hills or moundsfollowing ground-working by a preceding tillage tool before beingsmoothed by subsequent tines.

Like the smoothing tines 520, the knockdown tines 620 may have twoelongated rod portions or “teeth” 622 that are spaced apart andconnected by a center portion or “staple” 624. Each knockdown tine 620may be an assembly of parts or a monolithic member with coiled areas forflexing at each end of the staple. Also, one or more of the knockdowntines 620 may have a single tooth. The knockdown tines 620 may bemounted to the same rank bars as smoothing tines 520, or they may bemounted to one or more dedicated knockdown rank bars 610, in the samemanner as the smoothing tines using suitable brackets and fastenersclamping the staples 624 to the rank bars 610. In certain embodiments,the spacing between the teeth 622 of the knockdown tines 620 is at leastfifty percent wider than the spacing between the teeth 522 of thesmoothing tines 520. For example, the teeth 522 of the smoothing tines520 may be spaced apart about nine inches, and the teeth 622 of theknockdown tines 620 may be spaced apart about eighteen inches. Incertain embodiments, the teeth 622 of the knockdown tines 620 are atleast fifty percent thicker than the teeth 522 of the smoothing tines520. For example, the teeth 622 of the knockdown tines 620 may have agenerally circular cross-section and be about 7/16 inches in diameter.

FIG. 32 depicts the three-rank tine harrow attachment 500 as describedabove, except with the forward rank having a rank bar 610 with knockdowntines 620. As with the other embodiments, the ranks may be arranged in apattern with a generally consistent fore-aft spacing between ranks and agenerally consistent lateral spacing within each rank. Specifically,referring now also to FIG. 35, in the three-rank tine harrow attachmentexample shown, the tines 520, 620 may be arranged in a special form of astaggered split the middle configuration. For example, the knockdowntines 620 in the forward rank are positioned to straddle, and becentered on, parallel fore-aft reference lines “K” extending in thedirection of travel D through the rearward-most tillage tools 150′ sothat the knockdown tines 620 are laterally positioned knockdown hills ormounds left behind from the ground-working done by the tillage tools150′. The fore-aft spacing from the rearward-most tillage tools 150′ maybe same or different spacing between the harrow ranks. The smoothingtines 520 of the rear harrow rank are arranged so that the smoothingtines 520 straddle, and are centered on, parallel fore-aft referencelines “S” extending in the direction of travel D from the teeth 622 ofthe knockdown tines 620 of the forward harrow rank. An intermediateharrow rank, positioned between the forward and rearward ranks in thedirection of travel D, has a plurality of smoothing tines 520 alignedacross the rank bar 510 so that the alternating teeth 522 of thesmoothing tines 520 are aligned with the reference lines K and S.

Additional (or fewer) ranks may be included in the tine harrowattachment, and the tines 520, 620 may be arranged in a specialstaggered split the middle configuration. For example, FIG. 36 shows anexample five-rank tine harrow attachment in which the forward-most rankhas knockdown tines 620 located in relation to the rearward-most tillagetools 150′ in the same manner as the three-rank example described above.The rearward four ranks contain all smoothing tines 520, and the secondrearward rank and rearward-most rank are arranged laterally in the samemanner as the three-rank example described above. This example includestwo additional intermediate ranks of smoothing tines 520. The smoothingtines 520 of the third rearward rank straddle, and are centered on,another set of parallel reference lines S extending in the direction oftravel D from the teeth 522 of the smoothing tines 520 of the fourthrearward rank. The third and fourth rearward ranks are offset from theforward-most rank in the lateral direction by an amount equal to onefourth of the spacing between the smoothing tines 520, or in the case ofnine inch smoothing tines, about 2.25 inches.

The knockdown tines 620, and the spacing pattern, thus provide betterground-working performance by putting more robust tines where they areneeded to aggressively address larger areas of ground and provide betterresidue flow to reduce the likelihood of plugging. The constrainedlateral movement and the readily adjustable downforce and tine angles ofthe tine harrow attachment 500, especially with the knockdown tines andthe corresponding tine spacing pattern, thus serve to improve the FGWcapabilities of the TI 100′.

Aspects of a finishing basket attachment 700 will be now addressed withregard to the example configuration shown in the figures. The finishingbasket attachment 700 may include various features that enhance the FGWcapabilities of the TI 100′. With regarding to folding and unfolding,the finishing basket attachment 700 may be mounted to the TI 100′ by oneor more of the drawbars 300′, such as by a pair of drawbars 300′ of anyof the frame sections 110′-118′. As such, the lateral positioning of thefinishing basket attachment 700 will be mounted at the expected locationand pre-defined space envelopment. Moreover, certain aspects of theconfiguration of components in the finishing basket attachment 700further contribute to avoiding obstructions during folding and toachieving a tight fold. For example, the finishing basket attachment 700may mount to the drawbars 300′ by basket arms 710 that align with thedrawbars in the fore-aft direction and are attached approximately levelwith the drawbar 300′ so that they occupy little or no vertical spaceabove the drawbars 300′. The basket arms 710 interface with a rollerbasket 720 (or multiple laterally aligned roller baskets) at a lower,forward position with respect to the roller basket 720, which providesadditional space-saving characteristics to improve the compactness ofthe fold, and avoid obstructing whether the finishing basket attachment700 is in the lowered position (FIG. 25) or the raised position (FIG.37) as the TI 100′ is folded and unfolded.

More specifically now, and with reference to FIGS. 9-10, 25 and 37-41,in the example embodiments, the basket arms 710 mount to the drawbars300′ by the two mounting brackets 712 that are attached (e.g., by bolts,welding, etc.) to the rearward end of the drawbar 300′. The mountingbrackets 712 provide a pivot connection, via pivot pin 714, that is at,or very near, the rearward end of the drawbar 300′ and located generallyat the same height, or very near the height of, the upper surface of thedrawbar 300′. The pivot point does not project up far above the drawbar300′ where it may require significantly more space in the foldedorientation of the TI 100′.

The rearward ends of the basket arms 710 mount to a crossbar 730 bypivot brackets 740. The pivot brackets 740 include a pivot pin 742 andmounting hardware (e.g., bolts) to secure the pivot brackets 740 to thecrossbar 730. The crossbar 730 connects to the ends of the roller basket720 by short mounting arms 750. The mounting arms 750 permit rotation ofthe roller basket 720 relative to the crossbar 730 (e.g., via suitablebearings) and connect to the crossbar 730 via tube clamps 752. As can beseen from FIGS. 25 and 27, the basket arms 710 are angled so that arearward portion of each basket arm 710 extends downwardly and forwardlyin the operational position shown in FIG. 25, such that the crossbar 730is located forward of the roller basket 720 with respect to thedirection of travel D. Due to the forward positioning of the crossbar730, the crossbar 730 may also be set lower with respect to the rollerbasket 720, such that a lower portion of the crossbar 730 may be nohigher, or even lower, than the top of the roller basket 720. As noted,and illustrated in FIG. 8, this provides additional space-savingcharacteristics to improve the compactness of the fold, and avoidobstructing whether the finishing basket attachment 700 is in thelowered position (FIG. 25) or the raised position (FIG. 37) when the TI100′ is folded and unfolded, since the basket arms 710, which are infore-aft alignment with the drawbars 300′, are staggered vertically whenin the folded orientation.

The finishing basket attachment 700 also improves ground-workingperformance with enhanced lateral (or side hill) ground-following. Forexample, in the example embodiments, since the basket arms 710 areconnected to the crossbar 730 by pivot brackets 740, the roller basket720 is able to pivot about a reference axis extending generally in thefore-aft direction. In the example embodiments, the roller baskets 720,and thus the crossbars 730, are approximately as wide in the lateraldirection as the associated frame sections 110′-118′. As such, to ensurethat the roller baskets 720 are mounted securely and so that they aresupported in a well-balanced manner for even ground contact across thelength of the roller basket 720 during operation, and thus consistent,even finishing treatment, the roller baskets 720 are mounted to the TI100′ by two basket arms 710 at laterally spaced locations that may alignin the fore-aft direction with two associated drawbars 300′. To permitthe roller baskets 720 to pivot with multiple basket arms 710, inaddition to the pivot brackets 740, in certain embodiments, the basketarms 710 may be made of a material (e.g., a suitable spring steelalloy), and have a sufficiently small lateral cross-section, to permitthe basket arms 710 to flex laterally, as shown in FIG. 41. Thearrangement thus provides lateral pivoting of the roller basket 720 bynot only pivoting about the pivot pins 742 of the pivot brackets 740,but also by rotating the pivot pins 742 relative to one another. Thisrelative rotation of the pivot pints 742 may be accomplished by pivotingof the basket arms 710 with respect to the drawbars 300′ about pivotpins 714 in opposite, raise/lower directions and/or by the flexing ofthe basket arms 710 in opposite, inward clock directions. Thisarrangement thus allows multiple basket arms 710 to couple the rollerbasket 720 to the TI 100′ so that it is well-balanced in the lateraldirection, while also allowing the roller basket 720 to pivot laterally.This further promotes the FGW capabilities of the TI 100′.

Further, in certain embodiments, the basket arms 710 may be raised andlowered (i.e., pivoted about pivot pins 714) under power, such as byusing an actuator 760, which, for example, may be a pneumatic orhydraulic dual-acting piston cylinder arrangement operatively coupled toa pneumatic or hydraulic system of the towing vehicle or the TI 100′. Inthis case, lateral pivoting may be accomplished actively (i.e., underpower) or passively by the actuators 760 moving in response to movementof the roller basket 720. Further, various open- and closed-feedbackcontrol schemes may be used to control the finishing basket attachment700. For example, various sensors and imaging devices may be used toinput to one or more on-board controllers information about theenvironment and field conditions (e.g., soil type, hardness, residuecoverage, etc.) in which the implement is operating. The controller maythen provide the information to the towing vehicle operator via a userinterface (e.g., display) for manual adjustments in position and/ordownforce of the finishing attachments or other tools of the implement.Alternatively or additionally, the controller may use the inputinformation to automate adjustments in position and/or downforce of thefinishing attachments or other tools of the implement. It should benoted that similar powered control devices and schemes may be utilizedto control the position and/or downforce of other components of theimplement, including the various disc gangs and harrow attachmentsdiscussed above.

The examples used herein are for the purpose of describing particularembodiments only and are not intended to be limiting of the disclosure.As used herein, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” are intended toinclude the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicatesotherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises”and/or “comprising,” when used in this specification, specify thepresence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements,and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of oneor more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements,components, and/or groups thereof.

The description of the present disclosure has been presented forpurposes of illustration and description, but is not intended to beexhaustive or limited to the disclosure in the form disclosed. Manymodifications and variations will be apparent to those of ordinary skillin the art without departing from the scope and spirit of thedisclosure. Explicitly referenced embodiments herein were chosen anddescribed in order to best explain the principles of the disclosure andtheir practical application, and to enable others of ordinary skill inthe art to understand the disclosure and recognize many alternatives,modifications, and variations on the described example(s). Accordingly,various embodiments and implementations other than those explicitlydescribed are within the scope of the following claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A tillage implement, comprising: a main framecentered on a centerline in a direction of travel of the implement; awing hinged to the main frame to one side of the centerline; and aplurality of gangs each having tools along its length, the plurality ofgangs including a main frame gang mounted to the main frame and innerand outer wing gangs mounted to the wing; wherein the inner and outerwing gangs have inner ends that are forward or rearward with respect tothe direction of travel of outer ends, and wherein the lengths of theinner and outer wing gangs are offset from each other in the directionof travel.
 2. The tillage implement of claim 1, wherein the main framegang is mounted to the main frame so that an inner end of the main framegang is forward with respect to the direction of travel of its outerend; and wherein the inner ends of the inner and outer wing gangs areforward with respect to the direction of travel of their outer ends. 3.The tillage implement of claim 2, wherein the inner end of the mainframe gang is forward with respect to the direction of travel of theinner end of the inner frame gang.
 4. The tillage implement of claim 3,wherein the inner end of the inner wing gang is forward with respect tothe direction of travel of the inner end of the outer wing gang.
 5. Thetillage implement of claim 4, wherein the inner end of the inner winggang is forward with respect to the direction of travel of the outer endof the main frame gang; and
 6. A tillage implement, comprising: a mainframe centered on a centerline in a direction of travel of theimplement; a wing hinged to the main frame to one side of thecenterline; and a plurality of gangs having tools and mounted to themain frame and the wing, including a main frame gang mounted to the mainframe and a plurality of wing gangs mounted to an associated one of theat least one wing; wherein the main frame gangs are mounted to the mainframe such that an inner end of a first main frame gang to a first sideof the centerline is forward or rearward with respect to the directionof travel of an outer end of the first main frame gang and an inner endof a second main frame gang to a second side of the centerline oppositethe first side is forward or rearward with respect to the direction oftravel of an outer end of the second main frame gang; wherein the wingframe gangs are mounted to the associated at least one wing offset fromeach other such that an inner end of an inner wing gang is forward withrespect to the direction of travel of an outer end of the inner winggang and an inner end of an outer wing gang is forward with respect tothe direction of travel of an outer end of the outer wing gang; andwherein the inner end of the outer wing gang is forward with respect tothe direction of travel of the outer end of the inner wing gang and theouter end of the inner wing gang is forward with respect to thedirection of travel of the outer end of the outer wing gang.
 7. Thetillage implement of claim 6, wherein the inner end of the inner winggang is forward with respect to the direction of travel of the outer endof the first main frame gang.
 8. The tillage implement of claim 7,wherein the inner end of the first main frame gang is forward withrespect to the direction of travel of the inner end of the inner winggang and the inner end of the inner wing gang is forward with respect tothe direction of travel of the inner end of the outer wing gang.
 9. Thetillage implement of claim 1, wherein the at least one wing includes aplurality of wings including a first inner wing pivotally mounted to themain frame at the first side of the centerline and a second inner wingpivotally mounted to the main frame at the second side of thecenterline; wherein each of the first and second inner wings includesinner and outer wing gangs offset from each other such that an inner endof the associated inner wing gang is forward with respect to thedirection of travel of an outer end of the associated inner wing gangand an inner end of the associated outer wing gang is forward withrespect to the direction of travel of an outer end of the associatedouter wing gang; and wherein in each of the first and second innerwings: the inner end of the associated outer wing gang is forward withrespect to the direction of travel of the outer end of the associatedinner wing gang and the outer end of the associated inner wing gang isforward with respect to the direction of travel of the outer end of theassociated outer wing gang; and wherein the inner end of the associatedinner wing gang is forward with respect to the direction of travel ofthe inner end of the associated outer wing gang.
 10. The tillageimplement of claim 9, wherein the inner end of the inner wing gang ofthe first inner wing is forward with respect to the direction of travelof the outer end of the first main frame gang; wherein the inner end ofthe inner wing gang of the second inner wing is forward with respect tothe direction of travel of the outer end of the second main frame gang;and wherein the inner ends of the first and second main frame gangs areforward with respect to the direction of travel of the inner ends of theinner wing gangs of the respective first and second inner wings.
 11. Thetillage implement of claim 10, wherein the inner wing gangs of the firstand second inner wings are positioned at the respective first and secondsides of the centerline substantially the same distance with respect tothe centerline; and wherein the outer wing gangs of the first and secondinner wings are positioned at the respective first and second sides ofthe centerline substantially the same distance with respect to thecenterline.
 12. The tillage implement of claim 11, wherein the pluralityof wings include a first outer wing pivotally mounted to the first innerwing opposite the main frame and a second outer wing pivotally mountedto the second inner wing opposite the main frame; wherein each of thefirst and second outer wings includes inner and outer wing gangs offsetfrom each other such that an inner end of the associated inner wing gangis forward with respect to the direction of travel of an outer end ofthe associated inner wing gang and an inner end of the associated outerwing gang is forward with respect to the direction of travel of an outerend of the associated outer wing gang; and wherein in each of the firstand second outer wings: the inner end of the associated outer wing gangis forward with respect to the direction of travel of the outer end ofthe associated inner wing gang and the outer end of the associated innerwing gang is forward with respect to the direction of travel of theouter end of the associated outer wing gang; and wherein the inner endof the associated inner wing gang is forward with respect to thedirection of travel of the inner end of the associated outer wing gang.13. The tillage implement of claim 12, wherein the inner end of theinner wing gang of the first outer wing is forward with respect to thedirection of travel of the outer end of the outer wing gang of the firstinner wing; wherein the inner end of the inner wing gang of the secondinner wing is forward with respect to the direction of travel of theouter end of the outer wing gang of the second inner wing; and whereinthe inner ends of the outer wing gangs of the first and second innerwings are forward with respect to the direction of travel of the innerends of the inner wing gangs of the respective first and second outerwings.
 14. The tillage implement of claim 13, wherein the inner winggangs of the first and second outer wings are positioned at therespective first and second sides of the centerline substantially thesame distance with respect to the centerline; and wherein the outer winggangs of the first and second outer wings are positioned at therespective first and second sides of the centerline substantially thesame distance with respect to the centerline.
 15. A tillage implement,comprising: a main frame centered on a centerline in a direction oftravel of the implement; first and second inner wings pivotally coupledto the main frame at respective first and second sides of thecenterline; first and second outer wings pivotally coupled to therespective first and second outer wings opposite the main frame; and aplurality of disk gangs mounted to the main frame and first and secondinner and outer wings, including a plurality of main frame disk gangsmounted to the main frame and a plurality of wing disk gangs mounted toeach of the first and second inner and outer wings; wherein the mainframe disk gangs are mounted to the main frame such that an inner end ofa first main frame disk gang to a first side of the centerline isforward with respect to the direction of travel of an outer end of thefirst main frame disk gang and an inner end of a second main frame diskgang to a second side of the centerline opposite the first side isforward with respect to the direction of travel of an outer end of thesecond main frame disk gang; and wherein each of the first and secondinner and outer wings has inner and outer wing disk gangs mounted offsetfrom each other such that an inner end of the associated inner wing diskgang is forward with respect to the direction of travel of an outer endof the associated inner wing disk gang and an inner end of theassociated outer wing disk gang is forward with respect to the directionof travel of an outer end of the associated outer wing disk gang. 16.The tillage implement of claim 15, wherein in each of the first andsecond inner and outer wings: the inner end of the associated outer wingdisk gang is forward with respect to the direction of travel of theouter end of the associated inner wing disk gang and the outer end ofthe associated inner wing disk gang is forward with respect to thedirection of travel of the outer end of the associated outer wing diskgang; and wherein the inner end of the associated inner wing disk gangis forward with respect to the direction of travel of the inner end ofthe associated outer wing disk gang.
 17. The tillage implement of claim16, wherein the inner end of the inner wing disk gang of the first innerwing is forward with respect to the direction of travel of the outer endof the first main frame disk gang; wherein the inner end of the innerwing disk gang of the second inner wing is forward with respect to thedirection of travel of the outer end of the second main frame disk gang;and wherein the inner ends of the first and second main frame disk gangsare forward with respect to the direction of travel of the inner ends ofthe inner wing disk gangs of the respective first and second innerwings.
 18. The tillage implement of claim 17, wherein the inner wingdisk gangs of the first and second inner wings are positioned at therespective first and second sides of the centerline substantially thesame distance with respect to the centerline; and wherein the outer wingdisk gangs of the first and second inner wings are positioned at therespective first and second sides of the centerline substantially thesame distance with respect to the centerline.
 19. The tillage implementof claim 18, wherein in each of the first and second outer wings: theinner end of the associated outer wing disk gang is forward with respectto the direction of travel of the outer end of the associated inner wingdisk gang and the outer end of the associated inner wing disk gang isforward with respect to the direction of travel of the outer end of theassociated outer wing disk gang; and wherein the inner end of theassociated inner wing disk gang is forward with respect to the directionof travel of the inner end of the associated outer wing disk gang. 20.The tillage implement of claim 18, wherein the inner end of the innerwing disk gang of the first outer wing is forward with respect to thedirection of travel of the outer end of the outer wing disk gang of thefirst inner wing; wherein the inner end of the inner wing disk gang ofthe second inner wing is forward with respect to the direction of travelof the outer end of the outer wing disk gang of the second inner wing;and wherein the inner ends of the outer wing disk gangs of the first andsecond inner wings are forward with respect to the direction of travelof the inner ends of the inner wing disk gangs of the respective firstand second outer wings.